The 30th annual Isshinryu Hall of Fame Banquet and Tournament was held on July 31 and Aug. 1 at the Knoxville Hilton and Knoxville Convention Center in Knoxville, Tenn.

The Isshinryu HOF is the largest closed Isshinryu tournament held worldwide and attracts top Isshinryu competitors from all over North America, and from as far away as Okinawa, Japan — where Isshinryu originated. Six members of Andalusia Isshinryu Karate attended this year’s event and competed in the tournament.

The IHOF banquet is held each year to recognize Isshinryu practitioners for their contribution to the art and for accomplishments in different areas of karate.

Nominations are sent in worldwide for the awards and five finalists are selected in each award category. This year, several Andalusia students were selected as finalists for awards, and the Andalusia Isshinryu dojo was selected as a finalist for IHOF Dojo of the Year.

Individuals selected as finalists were:

Rex Butler — Adult Male Competitor of the Year

Hogan Nichols — Young Male Karate-ka of the Year and Young Male Competitor of the Year

Allen Butler — Young Male Competitor of the Year

Rexanne Butler— Young Female Competitor of the Year

The IHOF tournament kicked off on Saturday morning, and when the day was complete Andalusia competitors finished as follows:

Reese Burkhardt — first place, yellow belt fighting; and third place, weapons

Allen Butler — third place, black belt fighting

Rexanne Butler — third place, brown belt weapons

Hogan Nichols — first place, brown belt weapons; second place, brown belt kata; and first place, brown belt fighting

Mark Rudd — third place, 3rd – 5th degree black belt weapons; first place, 3rd – 5th degree black belt kata; and first place, 40-and-up black belt fighting.

More information on the IHOF can be found at its Web site, www.ihof.us.

Instruction in Isshinryu Karate is offered at the USA Gym and Fitness Center and classes are taught by Mark Rudd.